Carton flap deflecting and separating means



A g 1960 D. J. CARESIO 2,947,229

CARTON FLAP DEFLECTING AND SEPARATING MEANS Filed July 50, 1958 JNVENTOR. DOM/N/C J CARES/O A T TORNE rs 2,947,229 CARTON FLAP DEFLECTING AND SEPARATING MEANS Dominic J. Caresio, Alhambra, Calif., .assiguor to Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 30, 19 58, Ser. No. 751,986

8 Claims. (Cl. 93-53) This invention relates generally to a device for separating a closure flap at an end of a flexible collapsed container from other closure flaps at such container end so that a cooperable device may be inserted between such flap and the other flaps to facilitate automatic transformation of the carton from a collapsed state to the fully opened erected state so that contents may be inserted therein. More particularly the invention relates to a pivotable member mounted in the path of movement of a closure flap of a carton for automatically deflecting such flap away from other closure flaps at the carton end and maintaining the flap in the deflected position while a cooperable flap separating member is inserted between such flap and the other closure flaps.

In applicants assignees copending application, entitled Carton Opening Apparatus and Method/T filed July 30, 1958, under Serial No. 751,987, apparatus and method flattened collapsed tubular state from a supply of cartons and transporting the same through an apparatus wherein a closure flap of each carton is automatically deflected to effect separation thereof from the remaining closure flaps to facilitate automatic car-ton erecting. A flap deflecting member in the form of a slender cleavage finger or bar is utilized with the apparatus of applicants assignees copending application which engages the leading portion of a major closure flap of the carton end so that an elongated separating band may be inserted between such flap and the remaining flaps at the carton end.

The present invention relates to modified flap deflecting means which may be substituted in the overall apparatus of the aforementioned copending application to perform the flap deflecting operation.

Accordingly, objects of the present invention, among others, include the provision of a device in the form of a deflecting member which is adapted to be engaged by the leading edge portion of a closure flap of a carton and to automatically deflect the same in a direction away from other closure flaps at the carton end; the provision of a member cooperable with such deflecting member to assist in eifecting separation of the deflected closure flap from other closure flaps at the carton end; and the provision of means to move a supply of cartons in a. continuous flow past such members to effect flap deflection and separation. g 7

These and other objects will become apparent from reading the following specification, reference being taken to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a portion of a carton erecting apparatus with the flap deflecting and separating members of this invention positioned in the path of the cartons.

Figs. 2-5 are side elevations of the apparatus of Fig. 1 showing various stages of closure flap deflection and separation by the members of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken in the plane of line 66,of Fig. 4 illustrating details of the carton flap deflecting and separating members.

are disclosed for automatically removing cartons in the for example of the order of 10.

The present invention is adapted for use with a carton opening apparatus of the type disclosed in the aforementioned copending application wherein collapsed paperboard or the like cartons are continuously fed to the apparatus and transported from one section thereof to another and subjected to various operations until finally the carton is transformed from. the collapsed state to the fully opened erected state. The present invention relates to a modification of the flap deflecting means disclosed in such copending application and is intended for use primarily with cartons of the type disclosed in such copending applicationl Such cartons may be of any suitable construction, but generally include, as shown in Fig. 1, a collapsed body portion 2 including a plurality of conventional body walls. An upper pair of such body walls are designated 3 and 4, and it should be understood that walls 3 and 4 overlie and are hingedly connected to a pair of identical body walls positioned in underlying contacting relationship with respect to walls 3 and 4. In cartons of the type illustrated, wall 3 is of greater width than wall 4 but the walls desirably are of equal length.

Pairs of opposite major and minor end closure flaps extend longitudinally from an end of the carton body, the major flaps being designated 6 and 7 and the minor flaps being designated 8 and 9. Desirably the opposite end of the carton also includes similar pairs of major and minor flaps with similar reference numerals primed designating similar flaps. As shown in Fig. 1, major flaps 6 and .7 extend longitudinally beyond the outer' free edges of minor flaps Sand 9.

. -When cartons of the type illustrated in Fig. 1 are to be erected from the collapsed state shown, difliculty frequently is encountered in separating the flaps so that the carton can be erected without buckling or damaging the same. The present invention is directed to. a particular device for effecting separation of such flaps so that a cooperable member may be inserted between the flaps to separate one flap from the remaining flaps whereby subsequent erecting of the carton is facilitated.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 generally corresponds to a portion of the apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned copending application, and desirably includes a pair of substantially parallel carton supporting rails 11 and 12. Desirably, as best shown in Figs. 2 to 5, rails 11 and 12 are substantial longitudinal continuations of each other with therails being divided into two discrete sections designated A and B.

The carton supporting surface defined by the tops of rails 11 and 12 in each of sections A and B is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the other. That is, the tops of the rails in section A extend at a predetermined angle of inclination relative to the tops of the rails in section 13. The exact angles of inclination utilized are not critical and may be modified to meet a particular need.

Generally, however, satisfactory results are obtained if the relative angle of inclination is comparatively small,

The purpose for the relative inclination of sections A and B will be set out hereinafter.

After individual cartons have been removed from a supply hopper (not shown) in the collapsed condition and positioned with the flaps at opposite ends thereof extending transversely beyond rails 11 and 12 for movement along section A of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 1, the same are ready to undergo carton opening operations. p

Conveying of the cartons from one section of the apparatus to the other may be efiected in any suitable manner, and in the embodiment illustrated, endless pairs of spaced conveyor chains 13 and 13' having series of spaced lugs 14 and 14' thereon are provided to effect such movement. In the embodiment illustrated, chains 13 and 13 are positioned outboard of rails 11 and 12. As shown in Fig. 1, each lug 14 and 14 is adapted to engage a trailing portion of a carton to effect movement of the same. The lugs may be arranged to engage any suitable portion of the carton so long as movement there-- of is effected in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 1.

As the cartons move along rails 11 and 12 from section A to section B, they pass over a transition area or point located between such sections at which the angle of inclination of rails 11 and 12 changes. It should be understood that as each carton moves through the transition location to a position wherein its leading edge is. supported by the rails of section B and its trailing edge is supported on the rails of section A, the tendency of the central portion ofthe carton is to rise upwardly off the rails sothat ,the carton is supported solely by its leading and ,trailing edges. This tendency of the central portion of the carton to move off the rails is importantin that it facilitates deflecting of a major closure flap from the remaining flaps at the carton end.

In the following description, it should be understood that desirably each end of the carton is identical and that similar operations are performed on each end simultaneously. Accordingly, the operations performed and the apparatus for performing such operations will be described for only one end of the carton with the apparatus and operations performed at the opposite carton end desirably being identical. Similar reference numerals primed are used to designate similar parts of the apparatus at the opposite carton end.

Positioned adjacent the area or location of transition between section A and section B of the carton opening apparatus is means intended to deflect one of the major flaps of the carton away from other flaps at the carton end to separate the same. Such means may take various forms, but in the embodiment illustrated, the deflecting means is in the form of a substantially flat pivotable deflecting member 16 pivotally mounted on a shaft 17 extending substantially horizontally from a mounting bracket 18 which may be secured to the carton opening apparatus in any suitable manner. As best illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, the flap deflecting member 16 is of substantially tear-drop shape and includes a bulbous enlarged trailing portion 19 and ,a somewhat pointed tapered leading portion 21. Intermediate the leading portion 21 and trailing portion 19 on the bottom edge of the member, a smooth inclined cam surface or edge 22 is provided which is adapted to be engaged by the leading edge of a major flap of the carton as the same moves relative to the deflecting member .16. Deflecting member 16 may be formed from any suitable material, such as sheet metal or the like.

Shaft 17 extends through member 16 and maintains the same in operative position slightly above and outboard of rail 11. Member 16 is freely rotatable on shaft 17 for the purpose to be described. A similar deflecting member 16 is mounted outboard of rail 12 for engagement with the opposite carton end.

While in the embodiment illustrated, deflecting member 16 is of substantial tear-drop shape, it should be understood that other suitable shapes wherein a cam surface is provided on the member for engagement by a carton closure flap also may be employed. For example, member 16 might be formed substantially in the shape of an arrowhead or the like.

Deflecting member 16 is mounted outboard of carton supporting rail 11 and is positioned so that the same will engage only the major flaps 6 and 7 of each carton. That is, deflecting member 16 is mounted on shaft 17 so that it is positioned outboard of the free edge of each of the minor flaps 8 and 9 so that such minor flaps.

can pass deflecting member 16 without contacting the same.

With collapsed cartons of the type here described, it would be extremely difficult to insert a carton separating member directly between the aligned leading edges of major flap 7 and minor flap 9 because such flaps are in contact with each other. Accordingly, deflecting member 16 is intended to deflect major flap 7 downwardly away from minor flap 9 so that a clearance space is provided between flaps 7 and 9. The apparatus also includes cooperable flap separating means intended to be inserted into such clearance space between major and minor flaps 7 and 9 to maintain separation thereof, as will be described.

As a result of the enlarged bulbous trailing portion 19 of deflecting member 16 relative to tapered leading portion 21, the deflecting member has greater weight at its trailing portion, and accordingly, such trailing portion will hang down below the plane of flap 7 when the deflecting member is at rest causing the leading portion to be elevated above such plane, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. In such position, cam surface 22 of the deflec ting member is presented for engagement by the leading edge of major flap 7.

When a carton moves along supporting rails 11 and 12 toward the deflecting member and contacts cam surface 22 thereof, deflecting member 16 is pivoted on shaft 17 due to the force applied thereto by the carton and the tapered leading portion 21 thereof is swung downwardly into contact with major flap 7 as shown in Fig. 3. Such action by deflecting member 16 deflects flap 7 downwardly and provides a clearance space between the leading edges of major flap 7 and minor flap 9. Initial contact of deflecting member 16 with the leading portion of major flap 7 is facilitated due to the fact that the carton is inclined relative to the deflecting member as a result of the inclination of section A of the apparatus. Flap deflection also is enhanced because the carton tends to rise off the supporting rails as it moves into section B, thereby causing flap 7 to be bent downwardly relative to the carton.

Continued movement of the carton relative to deflecting member 16 results in the leading end 21 thereof being inserted underneath upper major flap 6 whereby such flap is moved upwardly and separated from lower major flap 7, as shown in Fig. 4.

Means is mounted adjacent the trailing end 21 of deflecting member 16 in the form of a device cooperable with member 16 to separate and maintain separation of the closure flaps relative to each other. Desirably the separating device is in the form of an elongated band 26 formed from any suitable material, such as steel, which has a pointed leading end 27 positioned outboard of minor flap 9 in substantial alignment with the trailing portion 21 of deflecting member 16 (see Figs. 1 and 6).

Band 26 extends from its pointed end inwardly and upwardly in the general direction of rail 11 to provide a thin curved portion 28 having a thin inner edge adapted to enter the space resulting when major flap 7 is deflected away from minor flap 9 by deflecting member 16.

The leading end 27 of band 26, it should be understood, does not extend directly into such space, but because of the inward curvature of thin curved portion 28, the band more or less transversely slides into the clearance space provided as the carton is moved by the conveyor chains thereby raising minor flap 9 upward slightly, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

Continued movement of the carton relative to deflecting member 16 and band 26 results in separation of major flap 7 from the remaining three flaps at the carton end in that band 26 also extends between flap 7 and minor flap 8, as is shown in Fig. 5. Separation of flaps 7 and 8 is effected readily and easily in that thin curved portion 23 of band 26 is free to enter the space provided between the trailing edge of major flap 7 and the leading edge of minor flap 8 when deflecting member 16 moves flap 7 downwardly away from flap 8, as shown in Fig. 4.

In this connection, it should be remembered that member 16 and the leading end of band 26 are positioned outboard of minor flap 8. However, band 26 curves inwardly from its leading end and easily effects separation of flap 7 from the remaining three carton flaps. As shown in Fig. 6, thin curved portion 28 of band 26 desirably is provided with an upwardly bowed section to provide a clearance space so that chain lug 14 may pass beneath the band without contacting the same.

Band 26 may be mounted relative to the apparatus in any suitable manner, such as by a bracket 29 secured at any convenient location to the apparatus.

After the carton has been carried by the conveyor chains beyond deflecting member 16, as a result of the heavier trailing portion 19, the deflecting member automatically pivots about shaft 17 to the position of rest shown in Fig. 5, in which position it is ready to deflect the lower major flap of a succeeding carton carried therepast by the conveyor chains.

As a result of the deflecting member and separating band utilized herein, a plurality of flattened cartons may be acted upon by the apparatus of this invention at very rapid rates, and the lower major flaps at each end of the cartons may be separated from the remaining flaps of the carton to facilitate subsequent carton erection.

Such carton erecting may be performed in any suitable manner, such as that disclosed in the aforementioned copendingapplication, wherein force is applied to the trailing edge of the carton body to effect carton setting up. Because the carton is maintained in engagement with the spaced rails 11 and 12 and held thereagainst by band 26 positioned over flap 7, the separating operation is greatly facilitated and may be carried out rapidly with any suitable apparatus designed therefor.

The flap deflecting and separating means of the present invention is inexpensive to manufacture and is simple in construction in that it requires no mechanically driven moving parts to effect flap deflection and separation, yet it is highly effective for deflecting the major flap of the carton to facilitate separation thereon from the remaining flaps of the carton end.

While one particular embodiment of flap deflecting and separating means has been disclosed herein, it should be understood that otherembodiments which may become evident to persons skilled in the art also are included in this invention, and the same should be interpreted in light of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for transforming a collapsed carton having pairs of major and minor flaps at an end thereof with one major flap and one minor flap positioned on each side of said collapsed carton from the collapsed state to the erected state, said apparatus comprising means for moving said carton along a carton supporting surface, a pivotable member mounted adjacent said surface and laterally spaced therefrom including a cam portion positioned in the path of movement of said major flaps but spaced from the path of movement of said minor flaps whereby a leading one of said major flaps is deflectable by said member and said member is pivotable by said one major flap as said carton is moved into engagement with said member whereby said one major flap may be separated from the other major flap, and a separating band having a leading end positioned substantially in alignment with said pivotable member and a thin curved section extending from said leading end toward said surface, said curved section being positioned in the path of movement of said minor flaps whereby said curved section may enter clearance spaces provided between said one major flap and said minor flaps when said one major flap is deflected by said pivotable member thereby to separate said one major flap from said minor flaps and said other major flap as said carton is moved relative to said separating band. a

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pivotable member has a fiat substantially tear-drop configuration including a tapered leading portion and a bulbous trailing portion, said trailing portion being heavier than said leading portion whereby said leading portion is elevated relative to said trailing portion when said member is free of contact with said carton.

3. In apparatus for transforming a carton having pairs of major and minor closure flaps at an end thereof with one major flap and one minor flap positioned on each side of said collapsed carton from the collapsed state to the erected state, in which said apparatus includes a pair of carton supporting surfaces inclined relative to each other,- and conveyor means for moving said carton in an uninterrupted manner from one of said surfaces to the other; means for separating one of said major flaps from the other of said major flaps and from said minor flaps as said carton is moved therepast by said conveyor means, said separating means comprising a freely pivotable member mounted beside said supporting surfaces and laterally spaced therefrom at a location adjacent the point of angular transition between said surfaces, said member comprising a leading portion including a cam surface and an enlarged trailing portion, said cam surface being positioned across the path of movement of an edge of a-leading one of said major flaps but spaced from the path of movement of said minor flaps whereby said edge of said one major flap is engageable with said cam surface and said one major flap is deflectable thereby and said member is pivotable by such major flap edge so as to bring said leading portion of said member into engagement with a surface of said one major flap whereby said major flap is separable from the other major flap thereby providing a clearance space between said one major flap and the remainder of said flaps, and a separating band having a leading end positioned in substantial alignment with said member and a thin curved section extending from said leading end toward said surfaces, said curved section being positioned in the path of movement of said minor flaps whereby said curved section may enter said clearance space and said separating band may hold down said one major flap and maintain the same separated from said other major flap and said minor flaps during continued movement of said carton whereby erecting of said carton for filling is facilitated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,668 Rodman July 21, 1959 2,737,826 Gebel Mar. 13, 1956 2,750,856 Ferguson et al June 19, 1956 2,832,270 Pierce et a1 Apr. 29, 1958 2,906,392 Galloway Sept. 29, 1959 

